Search - Gong :: 2 0 3 2

In the present...

Herb Atlas | Chicago IL | 09/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Led by septuagenarians Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth, Gong has been resonating it's silly/serious message since easter sunday 1966. Yes, that's a long time. From their early releases on the BYG and Virgin labels in the 70s, the band has sported an ever-revolving door of musicians, ever delivering some of the deepest psychedelic grooves this side of cabaret. Really, Gong's music is that unique. In 1990, Allen and Smyth resurfaced from hiatus Australia and reformed the Gong band. After 1992's Shapeshifter (best known for being the most un-Gong sounding Gong album), the next decade saw various former members come and go, as they toured what was little more than the nostalgia wave. Not that I'm complaining... It reached a peak with their millennium release, Zero To Infinity. Graced with some really funky tunes courtesy of the Mike Howlett/Chris Taylor rhythm section; but as the former said, it was all a little to cozy. Yes, quite cozy. And delicious. In 2006, the original surviving members of the Radio Gnome Trilogy band converged upon Amsterdam for the most conventional Unconvention a fan could ask for. Former guitarist Steve Hillage and his partner Miquette Giraudy, best known as techno outfit System 7, returned to the fold for the first time since the 70s.



Thus, we arrive at 2032. Hillage and Allen hunkered down under in late 2008 to write the fourteen songs that make up this newest of new Gong albums. 2032 is the year that the Pothead Pixies - those mischievous little green men from the planet of love - return to the planet Earth to clue us all in on our misguided misadventures. Allen's wisedome and Smyth's she-wisdom are all within, maybe even a little too obvious, but who isn't listening? Really! If you've followed the band, you'll remember that Gong changes; this was probably best evidenced in 2004's Acid Motherhood, an album that brought Allen together with Japanese psychedelic freakout masters Acid Mother's Temple. An unbelievable album, it did split the faithful. While 2032 steers clear of that kind of controversy, it does take the big chance - at being modern. And we've got Steve Hillage's masterful production to thank for that. Hip groovy rap? Trip-hop psychedelia? Yes siree. Gone is the deep space and the long head-nod grooves, and in are concise, bright, beautiful songs. And lots of them - a whole album's worth! Daevid and Gilli share the majority of vocals duties, while Hillage's guitar glows, rather than shines. Miquette Giraudy's synths percolate sideways upside down, but it's really the incredibly tight rhythm section of bassist Mike Howlett and drummer Chris Taylor that lend 2032 it's edgey edge. Crisp, punchy and right up in the mix, Gong are hear and now. Don't miss the bus, jump aboard, and join the Gong band for one remarkably fresh album from a band that's been at it for nearly five decades. Wow."

The real Gong is back

Exwag | Iowa City, IA | 09/22/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a casual fan of Gong, and often come back to their unique style of progressive rock, best captured from 1971's Camembaert Electrique through 1974's You (the last in a trilogy of fine albums). For the uninitiated: Gong split their music between short, pithy, angular but amazingly catchy songs (go sample "Pot Head Pixies" or "Eat the Phone Book" from the trilogy albums) on the one hand, and longer, spaced out prog rock grooves on the other (think Soft Machine's Third, but with more humor). When I heard that much of the original trilogy band had reconvened, after several hit-or-miss reunions and offshoots over the last 20 years, to add to the series, I was immediately intrigued. When I listened to the samples and saw that the MP3 album was only $6.99, I was sold. If you like classic Gong you should get this immediately. Most of these tunes tend toward the shorter, pithy, angular, but amazingly catchy side, though there is some nice jamming on "Portal" and the middle of several other tracks, featuring the great Steve Hillage's guitar work. They really SOUND like Gong, which is amazing. On a few tunes it is like the last 34 years never happened. The sound, of course, is updated, and there is a bit more funk to the rhythms, even some prog rapping from Daevid Allen (who is now 71 (!!!!) if you can believe it, not to mention that Gilli Smyth is 76 (double !!!)). Daevid and Gilli sound ageless, it is just impossible to believe the lady with the sexy space whisper is 76! The updating sounds natural to me, not grating, and the whole album has in spades a quality that almost NO new rock by indie/alternative bands has: FUN. Yeah, rock is supposed to be fun, at least sometimes (hello Radiohead? hello Grizzly Bear?). This record rocks hard and is great fun to listen too, and most importantly, has memorable tunes that will stick in your head. What a blast and what a testament to the unique genius of Daevid Allen and his friends from the planet Gong. At this price, why have you not hit the "1-click" button yet? Enjoy, Gongsters!"

GREAT WAY TO SPEND THE DAY

David M. Brown | 01/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gong has once again proven why they are still around.I have been exploring the Planet Gong since the early seventies and this keeps the trip going.The return of guitarist Steve Hillage gives Gong a very modern sound.From rave to rock to jazz to space whispers to pixies to octave doctors, this stands as a testiment of a great band always growing. Fans will love it and newbies will want to check out their amazing history.This disc flows with a passion that only they are capable.Daevid Allen at 7? still has a great voice.Theo Travis lays down the floating sax and flute work, a monster player.Hillage and his guitar are at the forefront and never ceases to please.Gilli Smyth still amazes the Gong fan with her famous space whisper and remarkable poetry. This is a MUST for Gong fans and continues the story of PLANET GONG to the year 2032. BUY OR DIE!!!!!!!!"